Melanins are one of the most common pigments produced in nature and distributed throughout the biological kingdom. Vibrio alginolyticus strain BTKKS3 produced DOPA-melanin was used in the study. BTKKS3 melanin inhibited biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria and effectively decreased the activity of four inflammatory enzymes tested viz. cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide synthase. Melanin proved to be less cytotoxic to mouse fibroblast cells with an IC₅₀ value of 134.98 μg/mL. The sun protection factor value of commercial sunscreens was enhanced by 3.42 units by DOPA-melanin.

The article focuses on data dealing with characterization of black brown melanin produced by marine bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri BTCZ10. Figures deal with the production of melanin by strain BTCZ10 and characterization of the pigment using biophysical techniques. Table presents the data on photo-protective ability of melanin when blended with commercial sunscreens.

Photoprotection and Anti-inflammatory properties of characterized melanin produced by marine proteobacterium Providencia rettgeri strain BTKKS1 was explored in the study. Characterization of melanin was carried out by chemical, FTIR, proton NMR and EPR analysis. The radical scavenging property was estimated using DPPH assay and Fe 2+ chelating potential was also evaluated. Effect of melanin on the activities of Cyclooxygenase, Lipoxygenase, Myeloperoxidase and Cellular Nitrite is used to evaluate anti-inflammatory potential. Enhancement of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is evaluated to study its effectiveness in photoprotection. Cytotoxicity of melanin was estimated using MTT assay.The chemical, FTIR, proton NMR and EPR characterization were typical of eumelanin. The pigment also showed profound radical scavenging activity (63.73%) and metal chelating potential (97.09%). Melanin significantly inhibited the activity of the inflammatory enzymes in a dose dependent manner and enhanced the SPF value of commercial sunscreens at an average of 2.64 factors. This melanin was also less cytotoxic with an IC50 value of 97.87μg/mL. The immense Anti-inflammatory property of the pigment can be utilized in therapeutic applications. The photoprotection potential of melanin can be utilized in cosmetic formulations, UV protection devices etc.